come into ecclesiastical conformity with England. They were "severe in
that they profess, and loth to remit anything of that they have
received." As the difference between the Genevan and Anglican models
contributed so greatly to the Civil War under Charles I., the results may
be regretted; Anglicans, by 1643, were looked on as "Baal worshippers" by
the precise Scots.

In February 1561, Randolph still thought that the Book of Discipline was
rather in advance of what fallen human nature could endure. Idolatry, of
course, was to be removed universally; thus the Queen, when she arrived,
was constantly insulted about her religion. The Lawful Calling of
Ministers was explained; we have already seen that a lawful minister is a
preacher who can get a local set of men to recognise him as such. Knox,
however, before his return to Scotland, had advised the brethren to be
very careful in examining preachers before accepting them. The people
and "every several Congregation" have a right to elect their minister,
and, if they do not do so in six weeks, the Superintendent (a migratory
official, in some ways superior to the clergy, but subject to periodical
"trial" by the Assembly, who very soon became extinct), with his council,
presents a man who is to be examined by persons of sound judgment, and
next by the ministers and elders of the Kirk. Nobody is to be "violently
intrused" on any congregation. Nothing is said about an university
training; moral character is closely scrutinised. On the admission of a
new minister, some other ministers should preach "touching the obedience
which the Kirk owe to their ministers. . . . The people should be
exhorted to reverence and honour their chosen ministers as the servants
and ambassadors of the Lord Jesus, obeying the commandments which they
speak from God's mouth and Book, even as they would obey God himself. . . . "
{182}